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Michael Schumacher fights for his life in French hospital

Michael Schumacher is in a fight for his life. As we reported earlier, the seven-time Formula One World Champion was involved in an accident while skiing in the French alps, but the severity of his injuries were not fully known. And they may still not be, but certain details have come to light in the 24 hours since the accident.

Contrary to earlier reports that suggested his injuries were mild and not life-threatening, the latest word is that the retired F1 driver lies in a medically induced coma at the university hospital in Grenoble. There he underwent surgery to stop the bleeding in his head caused by numerous contusions and lesions.

In a press conference at the hospital, Schumacher's doctors revealed that he had not, contrary to certain reports, undergone a second surgical procedure, but the possibility of its necessity could not be ruled out, either. Describing his condition as "life-threatening," the hospital's head anesthetician Dr. Jean-Francois Payen spoke at a news conference: "For the moment we cannot say what Michael Schumacher's future is," reported the Chicago Tribune. "We are working round the clock - we are trying to win time."

For now it seems everyone will have to wait and see how he recovers, but of course we're all hoping for the best and sending our wishes for a recovery that will be as speedy and complete as we'd expect from one of the most accomplished drivers in the history of motorsport. (For updates, we suggest following anesthesiology professor and former F1 doctor Gary Hartstein on Twitter.)

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In the German news conference physicians referred to "diffuse" brain injuries. This is really bad, it's explained at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffuse_axonal_injury. A friend of mine had this in a car accident, he is lucky if he makes it past vegetative state. Schumi, we all pray for you!

My step daughter is recovering from a similar injury right now, although, her's was probably worse based on what I've read. She was in a coma for almost 4 weeks and her head injury was compounded by severe lung injuries, high ICPs, low blood oxygen levels, and other injuries. The doctors told us she would probably never have much of a life and that she would end up just above the vegetative state. Now two months after the accident, she is talking (pretty much a full vocabulary), good memory, eating solid foods, and learning to walk again. In my experience the doctors will paint the worst picture possible to cover their asses. She is just a child though and they are much more resilient than adults. I will pray for his recovery and I know all too well what this does to a family.

and the moral of this story? life is a very, very fragile thing. it can all be over for anyone of us in the blink of an eye, literally. doesn`t matter if you have billions or cents, the grim reaper doesn`t give a fl**** F*** about it.
try to live your life like every day could be your last.

Very true. I can't help wondering if guys like Schumacher take bigger risks involving speed due to their wiring. I wonder if anything can raise his pulse more than what mine is just typing this. Going down a double diamond slope must seem like kids play compared to taking a corner in a F1 car surrounded by other cars over 100 mph.

Stay in bounds like the signs say. That's why they are there. We recently had two adult males die in snowmobile accidents hitting the same tree and injuring their riders. Same ole same ole purposedly, went off the identified track.
So sorry for his misfortune,hope he recovers